16 Handles Opened First Virginia Shop in Newport News
The frozen dessert franchise expanded into the local market with its newest location at Jefferson Commons.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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16 Handles opened its first Virginia storefront this September in the Jefferson Commons shopping center at 12551 Jefferson Ave. The location serves as the latest addition to the chain's network of 67 franchises nationwide.
Why it matters
The opening marks a strategic expansion for the franchise brand into the Hampton Roads market. This father-son business venture illustrates the practical path of entering a proven national franchise system through formal training.
The new storefront offers a menu of 16 rotating dessert flavors and over 50 topping and sauce varieties. The brand now operates 67 franchises across the United States.
The players
16 Handles
A national frozen dessert franchise chain founded in 2008 that operates 67 locations.
The details
The Newport News shop operates with a menu focused on seasonal variety, offering both dairy and non-dairy frozen yogurt, soft-serve, and sorbet. Franchise owners prepared for the launch by completing official training in Houston earlier this year, ensuring adherence to the corporate model established after the company's 2008 founding.
Timeline
16 Handles was founded in New York in 2008.
Franchise owners completed training in Houston earlier in 2026.
The Newport News shop opened in September 2026.
Market Landscape
This opening represents the first entry for the brand into Virginia, expanding on the franchise model first established in New York in 2008. The move follows a broader industry trend of scaling niche frozen dessert concepts through standardized franchise training programs.
Owners looking to enter the retail space should note the importance of completing corporate-led training programs to maintain operational consistency. Local operators should track how this new entry impacts foot traffic patterns within the Jefferson Commons shopping center.
The takeaway
Entering a proven franchise system provides a blueprint for new operators to scale quickly, provided they follow corporate operational standards. Watch for shifts in local dessert market competition as this national brand establishes its initial footprint in the region.
Further reading
For more updates on local retail shifts, see the latest in Openings & Closings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Press.
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